Pipe organ improved pitman windchests



May 22, 1956 R. R. PERRY PIPE ORGAN IMPROVED PITMAN WINDCHESTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1952 AT T I? UYYS May 22, 1956 R. R. PERRY 2,746,333

PIPE ORGAN IMPROVED PITMAN WINDCHESTS Filed Aug. 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR By R Pe/ y BY W f JWJLW ATTORNEYS May 22, 1956 R. R. PERRY PIPE ORGAN IMPROVED PITMAN WINDCHESTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 15, 1952 R O N E V m ATTORNEYS to movement of the keys at the console.

United States Patent M PIPE ORGAN IMPROVED PITMAN WINDCHESTS Roy R. Perry, Fountain City, Tenn. Application. August 15, 1952, Serial No. 304,565

9 Claims. (Cl. 84-338) 1 This invention relates to improvements in pipe organ improved pitman windchests.

Pipe organs have been built without any appreciable change in the means employed for controlling the supply of air to the pipes, for many years. Inasmuch as pipe organs are built on relatively large scale operations, they donot lend themselves readily to the construction of the individual parts so as to be disconnected and separated for repair. Many organs are installed for use over a long period of time and even such changes as have been made in the last half century are not incorporated in the older organs nor are the latter readily adapted for reconstruction to include such improved features as are now available.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of windchests to enable the latter to be taken apart readily for repair and yet providing the desirable universal windchest action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction including a universal windchest which can be built into any one of a number of different kinds of old organs now using channel wind-stop action which will improve the function thereof and provide for fast action in the organ.

Still another object of the invention is to improve the stopaction of a universal windchest which can be used by many builders of pipe organs with material improvement of the action and the construction, simplifying the latter and providing for faster action than has been possible heretofore.

-. These objects may be accomplished according to one embodiment of the invention by providing a universal windchest with valves controlled pneumatically by electro-magnetic means for controlling the air from the pressure chamber therein to the respective pipes through channels in the sides and bottom of the windchest. A

stop action unit is provided for controlling the air to the I pipe valve, which acts in response to the air pressure in a wind channel, which pressure is controlled by secondary valves that respond to electro-magnetic controls.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the windchest, showing the primary valves in one position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the primary valves in theopposite position; I I

Fig.v 3 is a vertical section through the windchest, show ing. secondary valves in one position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the secondary valves in the opposite position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the stop action unit detached and in perspective; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the stop action unit. The invention is shown applied to a universal windchest of a type frequently employed at the present in pipe organs for controlling the action of the pipes in response Inasmuch as the action by the keys is well known and the sets of pri- 2,746,338 Patented May 22, 1956 mary and secondary valves will be duplicated for the respective pipes, the number of which will be varied in different organs, only one set of valves is shown and described for controlling the action of one pipe, it being understood that this action will be duplicated for all of the pipes of the organ.

The windchest comprises a pipe board generally designated at 1, within which the pipe 2 is supported. The lower end of the pipe 2 extends to an opening 3 in a top board 4 which is seated upon and secured to a side wall 5 and a valve board 6 closing the space between .the latter. A channel board 7 is also secured to the side wall 15 and the valve board 6. These parts enclose a chamber 8 which forms the wind chamber of the windchest and which wind chamber is also under high pressure, being connected with the blower or other source of wind under pressure usually provided for the operation of the organ.

The parts 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 usually are made of wood. It is desirable that these parts be detachably secured together for ready separation to gain access to the interior of the windchest for repair. I have shown these respective parts as secured together by screw fastenings as will be apparent from the drawings, although any suitable detachable fastenings may be used as desired. 7

I have also shown a board 9 secured to the inner surface of the top board 4 and preferably glued or otherwise securely fastened to the bottom surface of the board, 4 throughout a substantial portion of they area thereof. This board 9 serves to reinforce the top board, 4, preventing the latter from splitting and at the same time it relieves the top board of the attachment for the pipe valve. The opening 3 extends through the reinforcing board 9.

The valve support board is shown at 10 spaced from the board 9 to form an air passage 11 therebetween which is constantly open to the interior of the wind chamber 8 over an edge of the board 10 between the latter and the valve board 6 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. The valve support board 10 is secured to the side wall 5 at one edge of the former by suitable fastening means, generally indicated at 12, while the opposite edge of the board 10 is supported by a fastening 13 on the board 9, with a spacer 14 interposed therebetween.

The bottom face of the reinforcing board 9 forms a valve seat around the open lower end of the opening 3 that connects with the pipe 2. This valve seat is in position to be engaged by a primary valve 15 carried by. a pouch 16 secured to the upper face of the valve support board 10 over a cavity 17 formed therein. The pouch 16 is illustrated as an example of pneumatic means for operating the valve 15 to control the action of the pipe 2 and the supply of wind thereto. The pouch 16 is resilient and. normally is urged upward by a spring 18 suitably mounted in the cavity 17. v

The side wall 5 is provided with an air passage or boring 19 extending upwardly therethrough, the upper end of which is connected through an edge of the board 10 with the cavity 17. It will be noted that this air passage extends directly from the side wall to the cavity 17 without passing into the top board of the windchest, thereby simplifying the structure and ensuring a more positive operation of the pipe valve 15.

The lower end of the air passage 19 is connected with a side of a stop action unit which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 5. This stop action unit is designated generally at 20 and includes top and bottom sections 21 and 22 that are telescoped together and form a control unit. The sections 21 and 22 may be made of aluminum, hard rubber, Bakelite, or other suitable material, although it is preferred that they should not be made of plastic because of the likelihood of breaking or cracking of the latter. The material used. should be durable and long-lasting inasmuch as the installation thereof in an organ requires its use for a long period of time.

The top section 21 is substantially cylindrical and has a sliding fit at 23 over the periphery of the bottom section 22. The bottom section 22, also has a shoulder 24 on its periphery above the portion 23 that co-acts with the cylindrical portion of the top section 21 to form a groove for receiving lint and other foreign matter so as to keep the interior of the stop action unit clean.

A floating valve 25, in the form of a washer or disc made of leather or other suitable material, is enclosed within the cylindrical body 21 in position to seat either directly at 26 on the upper end of the bottom section 22, or against a seating rib 26 that projects inward from the top of the section 21 to reduce the area of contact between the top wall of the section 21 and the top surface of the floating valve 25. A tubular extension 27 is formed on the upper end of the section 21 and extends into a wind channel 23 formed in a box 2% secured in the wind chamber 8 at one side of the latter. The wind channel 28 extends along the length of the windchest for all, or a bank, of the pipes 2 of one stop, and is open throughout its length to the stop action units connected therewith.

The stop action is adapted for open communication with the lower end of the air passage 19 through an opening 30 in one side of the cylindrical body 21, which opening has a narrow bridge strip 31 there-across to confine the floating valve 25 and prevent the latter from becoming entangled with the opening.

The bottom section 22 has a central opening 32 therethrough in position to register with an orifice 33 opening through the top of the channel board 7 from a channel '34 that extends through the latter. The channel 34 extends up through the valve board 6 to a valve passage '35 that extends transversely through the valve board 6 from side to side. This opening 35 is controlled by the secondary valves of the windchest, and may be connected selectively either with the air under pressure from the interior of the wind chamber 8 as shown in Fig. l, or with atmospheric pressure when the valves are in the positions shown in Fig. 2.

p The secondary valves are indicated at 36 and 37 and may be of any suitable form such as those customarily employed in pipe organ windchests as illustrated. The secondary valves 36 and 37 are mounted on a valve stem 38 extending axially through the valve opening 35. The inner end of the valve stem 38 is slidably mounted in a suitable valve guide board 39 in the wind chamber 8, while the outer end of the valve stem 38 is connected with suitable actuating means therefor, preferably pneuimatic. In the form illustrated, the pneumatic means comprises a pouch 40 secured at its center to the valve stem :38 and at its periphery to the face of a pouch board 41 over a cavity 42 in said pouch board.

The pouch cavity 42 is in open communication with one end of an air passageway 43 that extends therethrough to a valve chamber 44 mounted on a side of a magnet mounting board 45, preferably by a cap plate 46. The cap plate 46 has an orifice 4-7 therein controlled by a valve 48 which is movable by an electro-magnet 49. "This electro-magnet 49 may be of the character usually employed in windchests of pipe organs, and is connected by a wire 50 through a cable 51 to the keyboard of the organ for action in the usual way.

The valve 48 is attracted in response to the energizing of the magnet 49 for selectively seating over the orifice 47' or moved over an inlet orifice 52 from the atmosphere .into the valve chamber 44, for closing off communication selectively from one or the other to the air passageway 43 leading to the pouch cavity 42.

pressure in the chamber 8 will be present always in the wind box 53 as well as in the passage 11 as described above.

The stop action valves are shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The wind channel 28 has an opening at 55 into a channel 56 that extends through the channel board 7 and upwardly through the valve board 6 to a valve opening 57 that extends through the valve board adjacent and beside the valve opening 35. Like the latter, the opening 57 V is open at its opposite ends, when uncovered by the stop action valves, respectively, to the wind chamber 8 and to the atmosphere.

A valve stem 58 extends axially through the opening 57 and carries valves 59 and 6t thereon for seating against the inner and outer ends respectively of the opening 57 on the respective faces of the valve board 6 upon reciprocating movement of the valve stem 53.

The valve stem 58 is slidably mounted at its inner end in the valve guide board 39, while its outer end is mounted in a pouch 61 to which it is secured, and which pouch forms a resilient cover over a cavity 62 in the pouch board 41. Any suitable pneumatic means may be used for operating the valves, although the means described is representative of suitable means for the purpose.

The cavity 62 is connected by an air passageway 63 with a valve chamber 64 adapted to be controlled by electro-magnetic means as described above.

The valve chamber 64 has an orifice 65 to the atmosphere and an orifice 66 to the wind box 53 is open to the interior of the wind chamber 8. A valve 67 controls communication from the respective orifices 65 and 66 into the valve chamber 64, thence through the passageway 63 to the pouch cavity 62. The valve 67 is connected with the armature or core of an electroiagnet 68 for actuation thereby. The electro-magnet 63 is connected with an electric circuit or wire 69 leading through the cable 51 to an appropriate stop tablet or draw knob at the console of the organ. The magnetic valve structure for the stop action valves is mounted on the cap plate 46 of the magnet mounting board 45 as described above.

The construction of the secondary valves, pipe valves, electro-magnets and of the pouches, including the mounting of the latter on the pouch board and connection with the valve stems, are all Well-known .in the art and customary or usual forms thereof may be employed, which need not be described in detail.

Operation When the particular pipe 2 is not in operation, the secondary valves are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, and

ergized) to move forward by the force of the air on the valve 48 to seat the latter over the orifice 52, closing off communication to the atmosphere. This allows air from the wind chamber 8 to pass through the valve chamber 44 and the air passage 43 into the pouch cavity 42, thereby acting to expand the pouch 46 and forcing it forward to the position shown in Fig. 1.

This movement of the pouch 40 causes movement of the secondary valves 36, 37, seating the latter against the outer end of the opening 35, closing oif atmospheric pressure to the channel 34 and opening the inner end of the valve opening 35 to the pressure of the air in the chamber 8. This pressure is communicated through the channel 34 and orifice 33 to the stop action unit 20, whence, however, the floater valve 25 is closed against the seat 26 because of pressure in the wind channel 28 which is filled by the opening of valve 59 (Fig. 4). This allows air to pass out of chamber 8 and to flow through channel 56 and orifice 55 into wind channel 28.

There is pressure at this point in the stop action channel 28 because of the difference .in area of the overall surface of the floater valve 25, which now has wind pressing it downward against the seat 26, closing the lower Orifice 32. The air pressure that is bearing against each side of the floater valve 25 at this point is greater in resistance because of the size of the opening covered by said valve, whereby a greater area thereof is exposed at the top than is exposed at the bottom so that equal pressure against opposite sides nevertheless will hold the floater valve 25 engaged against the seat 26 (Fig.

The wind at this point is being fed through the opening 30 .in a side of the stop action unit into the channel 19, which leads to the inner portion of the cavity 17, over which the pouch 16 is secured. This wind pressure will inflate the pouch 16 and thereby force the pipe valve into a seated position over the opening 3 of the pipe 2.

The reverse of this operation is shown .in Fig. 2, wherein the magnet 49 is energized by the closing of the key in the console of the organ, thus attracting its armature and seating the valve 48 over the orifice 47, at the same time opening the orifice 52 to the atmosphere. The pouch 40 is thus deflated and the valves 36 and 37 are shifted to the positions shown in Fig. 2, thus causing the closing of the opening 35 by the valve 36 and opening the channel 34 to the atmosphere. floater valve 25 engaged with the seat 26 at the upper side of the stop action unit 20 because at this time the wind channel 23 is subjected to atmospheric pressure, as shown in Fig. 3, by reason of the closing of the secondary valve 59 and the opening of secondary valve 60. The magnet 68 is energized, and the pouch 61 is deflated, as will be evident from the drawing.

There being no wind pressure in the channel 28 to force the floater valve 25 downward, as viewed in Fig. 2, the floater valve remains seated against its top seat 26 by the pressure of the air through the channel 34, leading upward through the stop action unit, thus holding the floater valve against its top seat.

The pouch 16 is now deflated by reason of the venting of the cavity 17 downward through the channels 19, 33 and 34 to the atmosphere at the open valve 37. This action of the pouch 16 will open the valve 15 which will allow air to pass through the pipe 2.

Upon de-energizing of the stop action magnet 68, the pouch 61 is again inflated, as viewed in Fig. 4, and this establishes pressure in the wind channel 28 to shift the position of the valve 25.

These valves will function at terrific speed, as will be evident, since they are controlled entirely electrically, thus effecting a material improvement in the operation of the organ over stop action units used heretofore.

Moreover it is possible to change many ditferent kinds of old organs now using channel wind stop actions to apply modern universal windchests thereto. Furthermore, this windchest may be taken apart readily for repair or for gaining access to the internal structure thereof, and may be applied to any suitable construction of organ, as desired.

While the .invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, .it is recognized that variations and changes could be made therein without departing from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In an organ having a windchest, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage leading to said pneumatic means, a stop channel, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel to the atmosphere, a key air passage, and key controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said key air passage and venting said key air passage to atmosphere; the improvement which comprises a valve unit including a housing having a chamber therein, a first The stop action unit 20 has its opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented to the atmosphere, and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented to the atmosphere, and a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first-mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve.

2. In an organ having a windchest, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage leading to said pneumatic means, a stop channel, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel to the atmosphere, a key air passage, and key controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said key air passage and venting said key air passage to the atmosphere; the improvement which comprises a valve unit including a housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented to the atmosphere and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented to the atmosphere, a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the firstrnentioned air passage in all positions of said valve, and a lint trap in said housing to prevent accumulations of lint which would interfere with the seating of said valve.

3. In an organ having a windchest, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage leading to said pneumatic means, a stop channel, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel to the atmosphere, at key air passage, and key controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said key air passage and venting said key air passage to the atmosphere; the improvement which comprises a valve unit connecting the first-mentioned air passage with the stop channel and the key air passage, said unit comprising first and second housing members detachably connected together to form a valve housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented to the atmosphere and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented to the atmosphere, and a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first-mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve, said valve being removable from said housing for repair or replacement upon separation of said first and second housing members.

4. An organ having a windchest formed by spaced apart sides, a top board, and a bottom board detachably secured to said sides, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage extending from said pneumatic means down through one side of said windchest, a box disposed adjacent the said side and the bottom board and having a stop channel therethrough, the wall of said box adjacent said bot- 'tom board having a vertical opening therethrough and another opening connecting said air passage with the vertical opening, stop controlled means for selectively supmeans for selectively supplying air under pressure to said .key air passage and venting said key air passage to the atmosphere, a valve unit in said vertical opening including a hollow, metallic valve housing disposed in said vertical opening so as to be removable therefrom upon removal of the bottom board of said windchest, said housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber With said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented to the atmosphere and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented to the atmosphere, and a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve.

5. An organ having a windchest formed by spaced apart sides, a top board, and a bottom board detachably secured to said sides, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage extending from said pneumatic means down through one side of said windchest, a box disposed adjacent the said side and the bottom board and having a stop channel therethrough, the wall of said box adjacent said bottom board having a vertical opening therethrough and another opening connecting said air passage with the vertical opening, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said step channel to the atmosphere, a key air passage in said bottom board having an opening in communication with the vertical opening in said box, key

1 controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said ke air assa e and ventin said ke air as sage to the atmosphere, a valve unit in said vertical opening including a hollow valve housing disposed in said vertical opening so as to be removable therefrom upon removal of the bottom board of said windchest, said housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said step channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said step channel is vented to the atrnosphere and to close said second opening when said step channel contains air under pres- '-sure and said key air passage is vented to the atmosphere,

and a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first-mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve.

6. An organ having a windchest formed by spaced apart sides, a top board, and a bottom board detachably secured to said sides, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage extending from said pneumatic means down through one side of said windchest, a box disposed ad jacent the said side and the bottom board and having a stop channel therethrough, the wall of said box adjacent said bottom boardhaving a vertical opening therethrough and another opening connecting said air passage with the vertical opening, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel to the atmosphere, a key air a being disposed in said vertical opening so as to be removable therefrom upon removal of the bottom board of said windchest, said housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented to the atmosphere and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented to the atmosphere, a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first-mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve, said valve being removable from said housing for repair or replacement upon separation of said first and second housing members.

7. In an organ having a windchest, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of Wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage leading to said pneumatic means, a stop channel, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel, a key air passage, and key controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said key air passage and venting said key air passage; the improvement which comprises a valve unit including a housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented, and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented, and a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first-mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve.

8. In an organ having a windchest, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage leading to said pneumatic means, a stop channel, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel, a key air passage, and key controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said key air passage and venting said key air passage; the improvement which comprises a valve unit including a housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating, flexible, discshaped valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented, and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented, and a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the first-mentioned air passage in all positions of said valve.

9. In an organ having a windchest, a pipe, a pipe valve to control the passage of wind from said windchest to said pipe, pneumatic means for actuating said pipe valve upon a reduction of the air pressure in said pneumatic means, an air passage leading to said pneumatic means, a stop channel, stop controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said stop channel and venting said stop channel, a key air passage, and key controlled means for selectively supplying air under pressure to said key air passage and venting said key air passage; the improvement which comprises a valve unit including a housing having a chamber therein, a first opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said stop channel, a second opening in said housing connecting said chamber with said key air passage, a free floating, disc-shaped valve disposed in said chamber to close said first opening when said key air passage contains air under pressure and said stop channel is vented, and to close said second opening when said stop channel contains air under pressure and said key air passage is vented, a third opening in said housing connecting said chamber to the firstmentioned air passage in all positions of said valve, and a narrow bridge strip extending across said third opening to prevent said floating valve from becoming caught in said third opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 609,362 Neef Aug. 16, 1898 807,510 Skinner Dec. 19, 1905 824,079 Landin June 19, 1906 1,388,318 Austin Aug. 23, 1921 1,692,507 Lamontagne Nov. 20, 1928 1,747,370 La Marche Feb. 18, 1930 2,028,101 Fredrickson Jan. 14, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 356,372 Germany July 22, 1922 

